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The VarioS is the brand new DC pump from Reef Octopus engineered to fulfill the needs of even the most demanding hobbyist. What set’s this pump apart is it’s advanced controller and features.
In addition to allowing the pump to run at 5 different speeds, which is pretty normal for a DC pump, the new VarioS Controller takes the pump to a new level featuring:
1A float switch connection, which allows you to connect a float switch (included in the box) to the controller. This is an added security feature that allows you to shut off the skimmer pump when your waste collector is full or shut off your water pump when your sump water has reached a high or low level. In all, you don’t need another module or controller to add a float switch to your system.
A float switch connection, which allows you to connect a float switch (included in the box) to the controller.
2 Two different pause/feed modes that will shut off the pump for either 15 or 60 minute intervals. These come handy when you are feeding the tank or conducting regular maintenance such as a water change.
Two different pause/feed modes that will shut off the pump for either 15 or 60 minute intervals.
3 And the best feature of the VarioS controller is… a 0-10v input which will allow a 3rd party controller such as Neptune System’s APEX or Reef Angel to take over the pump and tell it what to do. In this mode, the new VarioS controller becomes an interface between the system controller and the pump allowing you to create intricate programs using your system controller native language. This is unprecedented controllability on a skimmer or water pump. In essence, you can use your system controller as your DC pump controller!
A 0-10v input which will allow a 3rd party controller such as Neptune System’s APEX or Reef Angel
We will concentrate on the VarioS controller, become acquainted with all the lights and buttons and learn how to use it as a full pump controller. We will explore the 0-10v input and how it connects to a 3rd party system controller on our next episode. The controller faceplate has a few buttons and lights but once you learn what they all mean, it is actually very intuitive and simple to use.
The New VarioS controller for the Reef Octopus variable speed pumps
You will notice the controllers’ power button. This serves as a way to turn the pump on and off without having to disconnect the power plug. The power button also serves as a way to disengage the pause/feed mode.
The power button serves as a way to turn the pump on and off without having to disconnect the power plug and to disengage the pause/feed mode.
The pause/feed mode, you will find it as the left button on the control pad. Next to this button you will see two LED lights signaling the pause interval. To engage, just press the pause button once and the controller will pause the pump for 15 minutes. Press the pause button once more and the controller will switch to a longer 60 minute pause. To cancel or disengage either of the pause/feed modes, just press the “power” button once. The pump will then return to normal operation at its previous set speed.
Press the pause/feed button to toggle between 15min and 60min pause time.
Since we are in the control pad section, look for the plus and minus buttons. These control the speed of the pump. Right next to the buttons you will see a set of 5 LED lights and speeds. As you press the plus or minus buttons, the flow of the pump will increase or diminish accordingly. One LED runs the pump at the lowest speed and 5 means the pump is running at maximum flow.
The plus and minus buttons control the speed of the pump.
On the same control pad, you will also find a FS button that stands for Float Switch. The button turns the float switch mode ON and OFF. The controller can run with or without the float switch installed. If you don’t need it, just press the FS button to turn the mode off.
FS(Float Switch) turns the float switch mode ON and OFF.
The float switch mode status is marked by the LED light at the top of the controller. When the light is on, the controller expects a float switch to be connected to the controller.
Float Switch in use.
If the light is off, the controller will ignore the float switch. Please remember to turn off the Float Switch mode when not using it. If you leave the float switch mode ON and remove the float switch, the controller will NOT run the pump.
Float switch not installed
To the right of the Float ON/OFF LED, you will find the Float Switch status. This light will remain off when the float switch is in closed position and will turn on when the float switch is triggered.
Remember that this feature only works if the Float Switch mode is ON.
This light will remain off when the float switch is in closed position.
The red light will turn on when the float switch is triggered.
On the bottom of the controller you will find a single 3.5mm jack which will allow you to connect the controller to a 3rd party system controller. We will go over this feature more in depth on our next video.
Watch for our next video where we cover how to connect and control the VarioS pump with your Neptunes Apex Controller.
And finally, on the side of the controller you will see the Float Switch connection input where you connect the Float switch to the controller. The float switch is included in the box with your VarioS pump. The float switch can be installed on a the side of your sump when running a water pump or, when using a skimmer pump a waste collector or the new Reef Octopus modified skimmer cup lid which will allow you to turn off your skimmer when the collection cup becomes full.
New Reef Octopus modified skimmer cup lid with safety switch.
I hope that this little crash course on the VarioS Controller gives you a good understanding of the great features and versatility of the new Reef Octopus VarioS pump.
If you are experiencing issues with your Reef Octopus VarioS controller or pump, or have technical questions that you wish to ask, please head over to www.coralvue.com/support and submit a support ticket. If you are in need of replacement parts, please head over to www.coralvue.com for a complete list of all available parts.
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